SEPARATION OF POWERS &

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Whose got the power???

KEY QUESTION

What are the two most important powers a

government can have?

WHAT ARE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT POWERS A GOVERNMENT CAN HAVE?Power of the SWORD Power of the PURSE

SEPARATE THOSE POWERS Activity

DIRECTIONS:

Class will be divided into three groups

Each group will spread out their three branches of gov and cards that detail different powers of different branches of government.

Place the powers under the appropriate branch.

Once you have finished, raise your hand, and I will check!

SEPARATE THOSE POWERS KEY

Legislative Branch MAKES THE LAWS

Executive Branch ENFORCES THE LAWS

Judicial Branch INTERPRETS THE LAWS

SEPARATE THOSE POWERS KEY

Legislative Branch Create lower courts

Regulate interstate commerce

Propose amendments

Make laws

Choose President if tie

Increase income taxes

Declare war

Appropriate money

Approve appointments

Ratify treaties

Override vetoes

impeach

Executive Branch Call special sessions

Veto laws

Make treaties

Enforce laws

Pardon crimes

Make appointments

Commit troops into battle

Give State of the Union address

Enforce (or not enforce) court decisions

Judicial Branch Life terms

Settle disputes between states

Judicial review

REVIEW

As a class, come up with hand signs for the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches.

When I read a power, respond with the branch and the hand sign that goes with it!

CHECK POINT POWERS Activity

DIRECTIONS

Put aside the cards with powers on them

Place the visual for the 3 branches of government on your desk. Using the arrows, show how one branch is checking the other. The point of the arrow should be toward the branch that is checked.

Once I have confirmed everything is correct, you may copy the arrows on your graphic organizer.

CHECK POINT POWERS KEY

LEGISLATIVE checking EXECUTIVE

Approves appointments

Ratifies treaties

Declares war

Impeach government officials

Override veto

LEGISLATIVE checking JUDICIAL

Impeach judges

Approve appointments

Create lower courts

EXECUTIVE checking JUDICIAL

Makes appointments

Enforces (or not) court decisions

EXECUTIVE checking LEGISLATIVE

Vetoes laws

Call special sessions of Congress

JUDICIAL checking LEGISLATIVE

Declares laws unconstitutional

Interprets the laws

JUDICIAL checking EXECUTIVE

Declares actions unconstitutional

Serves for life terms

REVIEW

Separate three corners of the classroom to represent the three branches of government.

I will call out a power, you will have to first say the branch and give the hand sign, then form your arms to an arrow and point to the branch of government that power checks.